HARDCORE POVERTY RATE DROPPED TO 0.09 PCT LAST YEAR - AMIR HAMZAH

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The national hardcore poverty rate recorded a decline to 0.09 per cent (pct) last year compared to 0.2 pct the previous year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the decrease meant only about 7,000 individuals were classified as hardcore poor nationwide.

He said the success in reducing the poverty rate was the result of the MADANI Government's continuous efforts through various methods and initiatives.

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“There are only three states where we still see hardcore poor and we will work to reduce it.

“We have also introduced the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to align our efforts, so we are not only looking at finances, but also at overall facilities available to the people. There have been many good improvements in the data we are seeing,” he said.

He made these remarks when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026 at the policy stage for the Ministry of Finance in the Dewan Rakyat today.

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Additionally, he stressed that the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda has never been sidelined by the government, in fact through the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), the agenda is being implemented across all ministries and agencies.

Amir Hamzah said in executing this agenda, the government is adopting a whole-of-nation approach, which not only involves the government alone, but also various agencies.

“As a result, the implementation of the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda to date has shown good progress,” he said.

-- BERNAMA